I created this blog site to expose the scam artists, crooks, and their tactics that prey on honest hard working people on craigslist. I encourage you to share your stories and experiences with other people so that we may better serve the craigslist community, by making it a safer place.

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How to Spot a Scam

Monday, December 29, 2008

Thank you to the person who submitted the following information. It appears that Dan Spurlock has slipped up and is now leaving messages on answering machines and giving US based addresses in which to wire money to.

On 12/28/08 a concerned CL user wrote:"Dan Spurlock" used this address for himself when e-mailing me: dnsprlck00@gmail.com. The text about being on a honeymoon trip to Hawai etc. was identical as that sent to the other bloggers here. I got a good looking fake check from him by UPS, follwed by a message left on my answering machine inquring about the 'overage' cash he wanted me to wire him by Western Union to a place in Texas. The quality of his recording on my answering machine was poor, but I am sure he spoke with a heavy African accent. I am around students from Africa a lot, so I do know this accent.

*If you have received a fake check with directions to wire money to anywhere in the USA, please contact the United States Postal Inspector's Office (A link has been posted on this site). Also contact your local police department. These people can be caught and stopped!!

The scam artists who were trying to "rent" a non-existent apartment in Brooklyn, NY have now changed locations due to being exposed by this site. Their new location is located in Manhattan.

On 12/28/08 a CL user submitted this info.

Location: 253 West 73rd. St. New York, NY

They are now posting an apartment in Manhattan in a very chic building on the UWS - 253 West 73rd - for only $800. Meanwhile, the ad asked for a different price and had contradictions galore within it. While I thought it was a scam, decided to send an e-mail anyway (wishful thinking, perhaps!). Received a long and detailed e-mail back, along with photos. Stay clear of these people who obviously have nothing better to do with their lives.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

There is a new apartment scam on Craigslist that is targeting people in Brooklyn, New York. The scam is being perpetrated by people living in the United Kingdom with a possible accomplice using a Chicago, Illinois phone number.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Anyone who has posted their resume on one of the online recruitment websites (Monster.com, Dice.com, CareerBuilder.com etc) will have received one or many offers for work. The work seems easy, the pay is good, the experience is negligable - what can go wrong? Well, in 99.9% of cases, it's simple fraud - and you can end up an accomplice - try explaining to the police why you're sending money to a known criminal and trying to cash fake checks - not going to look good on your credit history if you get a criminal record too!

The important thing is to do your research to avoid getting stung. A pretty good rule is this:

If you get an unsolicited email offering you 'work-from-home', hit the 'delete' key- it's almost certainly a scam!

The "Money Mule"

A"money mule" or "money transfer agent" is used to launder funds obtained as a result of phishing and Trojan scams. After being recruited by the fraudsters, money mules receive funds into their accounts and they then withdraw the money and send it overseas using a wire transfer service, minus a commission payment.

Money mules are recruited by a variety of methods, including spam emails, adverts on genuine recruitment web sites, approaches to people with their CVs available online, instant messaging and adverts in newspapers.

Positions on offer sometimes include "Local Representative Needed ", "Shipping Manager", "Financial Manager" or "Sales Manager". They offer you the chance to earn some easy money for a few hours work each week, usually just requiring that you have access to the Internet and a bank account.

Recently the scam as perpetrated by Avanger/Avangar-europe/Germansunetc. has involved using counterfeit 'certified checks/cheques', paid directly into the employee's bank account, followed very quickly by instructions to 'send on the rest'. By the time the check has been found to be a fake, the employee has passed on the cash, usually by Western Union (the Scammer's best friend!).

Remember, if a fake check is paid into your account and you draw on it, YOU are responsible for returning the money to the bank. The Bank will not bail you out!

Check out this fake employment ad from Robert Adams. He's still claiming to the "hearing impaired" to avoid the fact that his thick Nigerian Accent gives him away. Here is his new email address: myemployee1960@gmail.com

Mike Kimball, Services CPA provides accounting services to creditors of all types. This can consist of conducting delinquency interviews with past due customers of the creditors, urging the customers to call the creditor at the time of contact, visual inspection of collateral or photographs of collateral. We are not a collection agency, nor do we serve legal papers or repossess collateral. We act primarily as a conduit of communication between the creditor and their customer and also act as a fund manager on behalf of our creditors. We do not provide a hard-core collection approach when dealing with the creditor's customer.I run the company and I am currently recruiting employees throughout the country. I am seeking very stable, dependable people on Part-Time basis. You are signed on as Personal Assistant. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have the ability to dispatch some check billed to creditors daily. I do this formerly myself but it as gotten so demanding i can't afford doing this and still expect to have any other work to be done during my work hour, so most time I end leaving for home late. Should you be interested you will be posting the checks by United Parcel service. Work is typically performed during day hours (9:00am-12:00pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm Mondays through Fridays ). This is an excellent part-time income of $1500.00 monthly. Applicants must have an internet access computer, a coloured printer.Applicants will be working from home pending the time Office is avialable. Applicants will also be posting company letters, company invoice & company's account documents via post office or Ups/FedEx.The work is simple in nature.Interested parties should respond by emailing their resume to myemployee1960@gmail.com. We will respond to all resumes received, please check your spam filters. Mike Kimball, Services CPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Job Title : Personal Assistant WantedPosted By: Mike Kimball, Services CPASalary: $1500 payable at end of the monthPhone Number: Employer is hearing impaired, contact is best on email.Location : Nationwide(City/Town) : USA.

Benson Collins has gained our attention as a worthless scammer. We are also posting their phone number. It appears that the phone number given traces back to Seattle, Washington. These scammers may be cunning, but they are not bright, infact they are down right stupid.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Think you have problems, try being Karen Edwards, Robert Adams, and Rev. James Russell because they are the same person! We followed up on many tips and found many similarities, including the same email address. I guess when its hard to keep track of so many fake emails. Whether its pure stupidity or down right laziness, the slip up is very evident. I also question the sanity of a guy who would also pose a woman to cheat people out of money.

I received a closely related set of emails responding to my tutoring ad on Sacramento craigslist. Tip offs for me were a change of email address (and name spelling: Micheal -> Michael), poor english, and no reference to anything I had said. After running several unsuccessful google searches with names, towns, etc. I ended up here. Kind of funny - kind of not...

EMAIL 1FROM micrichiinunity007@googlemail.com

Hi,will you be available to tutor my daughter (Carie) Maths or Englishby February 2009?Richard.

EMAIL 2FROM micrichiinunity004@gmail.com

HiThanks for your reply.Am from Petersburg Florida,my 15 year olddaughter(Carie) is coming for an holiday,and she is interested inhaving Algebra Maths or English Composition lesson during herholiday.She is a middle school student.Actually,she want the lesson tostart by first week in January but i insist on Feb.So if you can beavailable for the lesson by January,no problem. She will be coming toyou for 1 hour lesson per day(3 times per week),I got a Nanny thatwill relocate to you area to take proper care of her and also there issomeone that will always drive her down to the location of thelesson.So please Kindly get back to me with:1.Your charges per hour.2.Total charges for 1 month that she will be taught one hour per dayin 3 times a week.Waiting to read from you soon.

We just recieved one of these. The original message was from Bob Draper. It says: "Hello,I am Bob Draper,my wife and i just got married,i work with Environmental Protection Agency in Canada and we are coming for our honeymoon in the states,kindly check if we can spend three nights at your place,(Dec 10 to DEC 13) .We dont have any pets neither we dont smoke or drink.Pls get back to me with the cost and availability.

Bob".

We sent rates, and some correspondence. Then he writes:

"Hello Am glad to inform you that the payment has been mailed to you and will get to you soon. However,there is a mistake on the check, our traveling expenses was included in the check for our booking. This was suppose to come in a different check that was supposed to go to our Logistic Agent and not in the one for our booking.But since it has been sent, just deduct the full cost of our booking and send the remainder to our Logistic Agent using Western Union money transfer so that she can make all necessary things we need to do with it pending the time of our arrival. I hope you understand this and we can be able to depend on you.We can't wait to be there. My regards to all the members of your family."

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The person who posed as internet conman Benson Lawson was sentenced this past weekend. Australian authorities say they nabbed this guy after an intense investigation, further proving that when the pressure is turned up these chumps crack!

Upon learning of these chain of events, we are recommitting our efforts to bring more low life's to Justice.

Hi thanks for the respond, I'm cool with your final price .. let me know if you will accept payment with Money Order as this is the only way i can make the payment because i am located in Chico, C. A .. I don't mind offering you an extra $30 for holding the item for me.

Here’s a little email I receive quite often - I assumed these were scams, but never got round to ionvestigating them until now. from a Javier Hines [otakvenezi@webvis.net] email address, but wants replies to Michael Bernard [michael.bernard55@gmail.com].

Irvine, CA 92604-3703

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Shopper position.

Our company conducts surveys and evaluates other companies in order to help them achieve their performance goals.

We offer an integrated suite of business solutions that enables corporations to achieve tangible results in the marketplace.

We get hired by other companies and act like customers to find out how they are handling their services in relation to their customers.

Mystery Shopping is the most accurate and reliable tool a business can use to gather information regarding their actual customer service performance at the moment of truth. This moment of truth is not when the staff is on their best behavior because the boss is around - it is when they interact with customers during their normal daily routines.

This is where you, the Mystery Shopper, come in. You pose as an ordinary customer and provide feedback of both factual observations (ex…the floor was free of debris) and your own opinions (ex…I felt that the temperature in the establishment was too cold).

Mystery Shoppers must remain anonymous. You must act as a regular customer and be careful not to do anything that would reveal you as a shopper. An inexperienced shopper could tip off the staff to his/her identity by asking for the manager’s name for no clear or appropriate reason. If you are going to be bringing someone with you on the shop, make sure you educate them about the process as well. Beware that even whispers can be overheard by employees. If anyone notices you are a shopper, you can bet that word will quickly spread around the establishment and you will get some of the best customer service in town.

No company can afford to have a gap between the promise of quality and its actual delivery, that’s why leading corporations look to us, the nation’s premiere mystery shopping and customer experience measurement company.

In order for a business to effectively compete in today’s economy, they must be prepared to meet the challenge of increasing sales by:

* Retaining existing customers

* Acquiring new customers

* Creating word-of-mouth advocacy

* Improving customer loyalty

Once we have a contract to do so, you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job(either purchase merchandise or require services), after which you would write a detailed report of your experience.

Examples of details you would forward to us are:

1) How long does it take to get served.

2) Politeness of the attendant.

3) Customer service professionalism.

4) Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they deal with difficult clients.

Then we turn the information over to the company executives and they will carry out their own duties in improving their services.

Most companies employ our assistance when people complain about their services, or when they feel there is a need for them to improve upon their customer service.

Our company partners with you to implement proven mystery shop auditing and surveying strategies that provide critical information about customer experiences.

You will be paid a commission of $100 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance.

Your task will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of restaurants, retail stores, casinos, shopping malls, banks and hotels in your area.

Qualities of a good Mystery Shopper:

* Is 21 years of age or older

* Loves to go shopping

* Is fair and objective

* Is ON TIME

* Is very observant and able to focus on details

* Is fairly intelligent

* Has patience

* Is detail oriented

* Is practical

* Types well

* Is trustworthy

* Explains well in writing

* Is discreet

* Loves to learn

* Handles deadlines

* Has full internet access (at home or at work)

Mystery Shopping is fun and exciting but also must be approached very seriously and is definitely not for everyone.

If you are interested in applying for consideration as a Mystery Shopper do send in your information only at our e-mail: michael.bernard55@gmail.com

Full Name: Address:

City: State:

Zip Code: Phone Number:

Age: Occupation:

As soon as we receive your information we will add you to our database and we will look for locations in your area that needs to be evaluated. If you have any questions please reply on our e-mail: michael.bernard55@gmail.com

Thank you,

Michael Bernard

Best Surveys, 505 Barranca Parkway, michael.bernard55@gmail.com

Now this sounds good - and fun too - we all want to reward good service and punish bad service - and who doesn’t want to go shopping??

Well, this is just our old friend the counterfeit check scam in another guise. At some time you’ll probably end up having to cash a large check and ’send the rest’ on to a wierd address by (guess who?) Western Union (’The Scammers Best Friend’).

Also seen as postings on CraigsList or print classified ads or sent to people who are looking for employment on Dice/Monster etc. Job sites - The ‘job’ sounds very attractive and would obviously appeal to candidates such as home makers, Pensioners and other people with free time who want to make a little extra cash.

The Federal Trade Commission offers some advice about becoming a “mystery shopper”:

The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try another pitch.

Remember always, if you are asked to pay for the privilege of working (eg by needing to purchase training materials or obtain certification or register with a database of available mystery shoppers), you are probably being conned, avoiding being victimized in this fashion would be a relatively simple matter: all one would need to remember is, “If they want me to pay them, it’s a scam.” And that would be that.

Someone who answers a mystery shopper ad is sent an employment packet typically containing a variety of items, including a training assignment and a cashier’s check made out for a largish amount, typically a few thousand dollars. The assignment explains that the “shopper” is to pose as an ordinary bank customer (either at a particular named bank or his own), cash the check there, then wire the funds he receives from the teller to an address that has been supplied in the information package. The “shopper” will also typically be told it is imperative he complete the task within two days, or else he will not be paid for his work or hired again.

How to Avoid Falling Victim to ‘Secret Shopper’ Scams:

Remember that anyone can place a newspaper or online ad. Do not confuse the appearance of such solicitations in reputable forums with proof of the offers having been vetted by those publications or job search services.

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by official-sounding corporate names. Some scam artists operate under business names that can be confused with those of long-standing, reputable firms. Others choose impressive-sounding evocative names that roll satisfyingly off the tongue. In both instances, they count on their pigeons being mollified by the sound of the name rather than inspired to research the company on their own.

Don’t pay a company to hire you, not even if such payment is presented as your buying necessary training materials, obtaining required certification, or registering with databases of available mystery shoppers. Remember, if the process involves your sending your “employers” money, it’s probably a scam.

Be wary of companies that ask you to disburse money from your own pocket for the goods you buy as their secret shopper. While some legitimate mystery shopper companies do operate in this fashion (with their employees submitting receipts for what they bought along with their reports, then being reimbursed in full), the more prudent aspiring secret shoppers will tread carefully in this regard at least for the first few transactions, rather than plunge in wildly and make large purchases with their own cash.

Do not wire money to strangers or to firms that have supposedly hired you. Use entities such as Western Union and MoneyGram only when you know the person who will be receiving your cash very, very well. Remember, that while a charge made against a credit card can be disputed and a check can have a stop-payment order issued against it, once cash is out the door, it is gone forever. Since wiring money is sending cash, treat it that way.

If you have questions about the legitimacy of a job listing, contact your Better Business Bureau, your state or local consumer agency, or the Federal Trade Commission.

Came across this fascinating scam - selling battery-farmed eggs as ‘Free Range’.

British consumers are eggstremely conscious about where their food comes from. (Way more so than Americans who like not to think of such yukky subjects).

So - Big thumbs down to GMOs (Genetically Modified foods), and a rather hard stare (ala Paddington Bear) to those who farm animals with disregard to their comfort and safety. So imagine the horror when it is revealed that the purchasers of ‘animal-friendly’ eggs, supposedly from Free-Range chickens turns out to be just the usual mass-produced crud from the despised battery farming methods (cramped cages, de-beaking, chemical feeds, miserable life cycle).

Anyway, here’s the story from the Newcastle, UK based Northern Farming Journal

Egg sales scam is much bigger than feared

A scam involving eggs laid by battery hens in Europe being sold as free-range or organic in UK supermarkets is 10 times bigger than previously feared.

Consumers may have been duped into paying higher prices for more than 500 million mislabelled eggs over five years.

Investigators from Defra are continuing their investigation into the scale of egg fraud in Britain, although they stressed that they do not believe mislabelled eggs are still being traded. However, free range egg producers in the North-East said it was important that the fraudsters were caught and brought to justice.

Christine Jackson of Sunny Hill Eggs, near Berwick, said: “It is very important for the goodwill of our consumers that we have integrity in the production of Sunny Hill Eggs, follow all the welfare codes we adhere to and also have integrity in the marketing and retailing of our product.

“So you can be sure that at Sunny Hill Eggs all of our eggs are produced and marketed according to strict Lion Code and Freedom Food Practice and at Sunnyhill all of our hens are happy hens.

Everyone with an e-mail address has received the Nigerian scam e-mail. The scam, sending money to someone who’ll reward your kindness with much, much more money, has been around forever, but the Internet really spread it around.The L.A. Times reports there’s a twist on this, playing on the desire both for a bargain and to help a puppy in trouble:The Council of Better Business Bureaus Inc. and the American Kennel Club today will issue a warning about fraudulent websites, MySpace postings and print ads asking people to help save puppies who are in desperate straits.The sites and ads usually show adorable puppies that somehow have become stuck in Nigeria or other countries, and are offered free to new owners. A variation is to offer the puppies, such as purebred, English bulldogs — a particularly expensive breed — at vastly discounted prices.But free or not, people who had responded to the ads eventually were asked to send hundreds of dollars to cover such costs as shipping, customs, taxes and inoculations on an ever-escalating scale.Some reported paying fees totaling more than $1,500.“It’s like the Nigerian advance-fee scams we’ve been seeing for years, except with the face of a puppy,” said Steve Cox, a council vice president.No matter how much was paid, no puppies arrived. Even the pictures — showing sad-eyed puppies with folds of skin so loose it looked as if they were wearing bunched-up sweaters — probably were fraudulent, mostly lifted from legitimate websites of unwitting owners

Dear Applicant,You are getting this email in regards of the resume you sent to us for the Account Officer (Receivables/Payables)posted on the Accounting Section. The HR Managers have scrutinizedyour Resumes and due to some certain factors, am glad to get youinformed that you have beenshortlisted as a possible Account Officer of the company.

ABOUT US - Starbucks Coffee CompanyThe bottom line: We always figured that putting people before products just made good common sense. So far, it's been working out for us. Ourrelationships with farmers yield the highest quality coffees. Theconnections we make in communities create a loyal following. And thesupport we provide our baristas pays off everyday. Read more about ourapproach to business in the 2007 Corporate Social ResponsibilityAnnual Report.

Responsibilities:As an Account Officer, you are responsible for the following:1. Receive payment from our Customers or Clients.2. Process payments received for crediting3. Record daily transactions and invoice4. work with the Credit Department of the Company to complete transactions.This position is part time and it gives you the opportunity to doother works as you will be working from home while earning more income.

Your application is being considered and you will be mailed a letterof acknowledgement as soon as you are given the post.

Meanwhile, you are to get back to us with the required informationbelow, this will be recorded in the Company's Regional Database(CRD).First name:Middle Initial:Last name:Address Line 1:Address Line 2:City:State:Zip/Postal code:Age:Home phone:Cell phone:IM Messenger service (AOL, YAHOO, MSN, ICQ, SKYPE):YOUR PREFFERED MODE OF COMMUNICATION EITHER BY PHONE OR BY EMAIL:

We hope to read from you soon,RegardsBen MullinsHR ManagerStarbucks Coffee Company

SECOND ONE (needless to say, I was a wee bit upset):Welcome,I hope you had a lovely day. This is to inform you that your JobPositionas been approved at Bucks Coffee.

You are legally capable of carrying out duties on behalf of thecompany.We would like to use this medium to remind you that as soon as you receive payments, you are to send an email to acknowledge the receipt,and also, to have such processed as earlier stated in the job offer letter.This update is to notify you that you are to commence your first assignmentwith the company and to confirm if you are ready to proceed. As we are about to begin full scale operations, all handsmust be on deck.

1. To act in the capacity as a representative of the company2. To receive payment from our customers on behalf of the company.3. Payments will be made via Check4. Record payments information such as Check#, Date and Name of Issuer5. To process payments and cash the checks recieved at your Bank6. To work with the Credit Processing Department for balancing of transactionWe would like to know if you will be able to carry out your duties diligently and timely enough and most importantly if you think you are upto the task.

A quick response from you would make things a lot easier forus, so as to know if to inform our clients to start making payments for goods already delivered to them, payment which will be made directly to you.Regards,Ben MullinsHR ManagerBucks Coffee

OK I hope your BS meter is going off by now. Please note the reply email address is Gmail. Starbucks is an international corporation and does not use Google mail! Also I'm sure they do not refer to themselves as "Bucks Coffee."

Friday, December 12, 2008

We are excited to announce that our site is now featured on Scamdex. As you may know, Scamdex operates the largest database of both online and offline scams. In addition they receive tens of millions of visitors from around the world. It is considered an honor to be mentioned by them, as only a handful of sites are selected per year.

This email was in my inbox this morning. For those who may not know, Wells Fargo Bank is a very large bank in the Western part of the United States, but they are expanding across the country. I do not bank with Wells Fargo, yet the scam artists who created it don't know that.

The scam works like this, the potential victim receives an email stating their online banking is blocked, and needs to be resolved. The victim is then redirected via a link provided in the email to a "fake Wells Fargo site" (this is called "phishing" in the cyber world of crime), where they are instructed to enter an online ID and password.

Once this information has been entered, the scam artists now have your personal online banking information, if you are a Wells Fargo customer.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Here is another example of a dirt bag scam artist posing as US Military Personnel. In reality there is no car for sale, its just an elaborate scam to cheat people out of money.

Scam Artist Name: Jerry Mercanteemail: unknown

Hello,If you are interested in my 2003 Toyota Camry LE, it is in perfect condition, with no need for additional repairs, no scratches, dings, special marks whatsoever. It has 32,154 miles and the VIN # is :4T1BE32K63U771971. It has a clear title ready to be signed and notarized on your name.I have the pictures hosted on the net and you can see them at :http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=2035387.The car is located in Simi Valley, CA.The price is $2,500 including shipping costs anywhere in the continental US. There are no other costs regarding this transaction. I am selling the car because I am in the army, and my unit will be deployed to Afghanistan in January.The transaction will be closed only through a 3rd party and this way we will both be protected. My time is limited due to my job in the army so I decided to use a service from ProPay. To begin the transaction I'll need your full name and shipping address, I will forward the details of our transaction to ProPay and then you will receive an invoice from them. The car will be shipped insured to your location with DAS and you will have 5 days for inspection.Jerry Mercante.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

First and foremost we would like to say thank you to the Cleveland Police Detectives who have worked very hard to provide us with the following information. If you are in possession of a fake/fraudulent check sent by a scam artist, your best plan of attack is to contact your local United States Postal Inspector.

The USPS will investigate any and all complaints regarding scams sent through the United States Postal system. Feel free to click here to located your nearest Postal Inspection office, then click the contact link to find the office in your area/region.

Friday, December 5, 2008

A Cl user wrote:He just mailed me as Dr. James Russell, using these emails:revjames8@tnen.zzn.comrev.jamesrussell@yahoo.com "Hi, I am Rev. James, I am interested in the item on subject listed by you on Craigslist. Please let me know if it is still available for sale??? I have difficulty talking on the phone. Please send me more pictures if possible."

*I find the email address with the suffix of godsfamily completely offensive.

The pieces are falling into place as it appears that our old friend John Mark does have an accomplice in the US. Too many people have reported that the envelope containing fake checks was post marked from Brooklyn. At first all may appear normal, but upon receiving the fake checks the victims are instructed to wire the "extra funds" via Western Union to an address in Cambodia. This is where most peoples suspicions are raised and Google John Mark's name, thereby finding this site.

Again we now believe that "John Mark" is based in Cambodia or South East Asia. He is operating with a network of associates, some of which are based in Brooklyn, NY. If you have been a victim to these jerks report it immediately. You can read more about where we believe their US base of operations is here

*Also please note the new email domain zzn.com. ZZN is a free email based web service which allows its users to customize their email address, thereby appearing more legitimate. ZZN is an honest business, but not all of its users are.

Hello TutorAm Mrs Pati Olinger. I would like to secure your service for my daughter, Her name is Olympia and she is 14yrs old so i want her to be busy in the time of the day because we just moved in from United Kingdom. i have decided to let her attend your lesson pending the time i wll get a good sch for her ,so she will be coming 2hours in a day and three times in a week(10am to 12pm or at any of your convinient time given to us)in the morning or time that you will be chance. so i want you to calculate the cost of 2 hour per day for Monday, Wednesday & Friday or any of your convinient time for the whole 2 Month and send me the total cost ,My husband company will be paying you Check or wire the money to your account.so get back to me with your cost for the November and December. I have someone that will always drive him down to your house Kindly get back to me with your full details below...My company will be paying with CHECK..1.YOUR CHARGE FOR AN HOUR FOR TWO MONTHS....2.TOTAL CHARGES FOR 2 MONTHS.TAUGHT 3 TIMES PER WEEK..3.FULL NAME AND ADDRESS WITH ZIP CODE. (FOR PAYMENT)and (LESSON VENUE)4.YOUR PHONE NUMBER...Don't hesitate to e-mail with your total charges.Thanks and looking to hearing from you soon.Stay Blessesd and best Regards

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Do you remember when country artist Garth Brooks invented an alter ego called Chris Gaines? The result was a huge media/personal setback. Well it appears that scam artists also have multiple personalities. This past summer Robert Phillips was riding high as a con man who thought no one knew who or what he was (creep, jerk, etc., you name it). As it turns out this site starting featuring good ole' Robert and he disappeared for a while.

Enter Ted Smith, Robert Phillips new identity. Lots of people have reported contact with "Ted" and new story which goes something like this:

From: honestsoul3310@gmail.com (Ted's new email)

HE IS A SCAM ARTIST BUT READ HIS SWEET MADE UP STORY

Thanks for the prompt response to my mail. I will be buying from youso please kindly withdraw the advert from CRAIGSLIST. Please beinformed that I will be paying with a check. Anyways, I'll not beavailable for the pick-up due to much engagement with me this season,but my intention is to hire a mover to pick it up.Please note 'UPS' donot deliver to P.O.Box addresses.I will need the following details tomail out the payment.

1.Name to be on the payment2.Home address3.Cell phone #

I am completely satisfied with the advert and the payment will bedelivered within 2-3 working days.** I use a hearing impaired phone #and will receive your calls via email.Kindly delete the posting as amtotally committed to buying from you to save me cost.Until then remainblessed and take good care of yourself for meThanksTed..

*Best excuse yet, to busy due to much engagement with me this season. Honestly these people make my skin crawl.

Many people have been asking what should they do with their fake John Mark checks. First do not cash/deposit any of the checks into your bank account (they will bounce). Next, you will need to decide if you would like to report the matter. We have added a link on the homepage under the section "Report a Scam."

The amount of pressure that has been directed at John Mark is starting to show. Tens of thousands of people have become hip to his game, and as a result he is starting to slip up. At this point we are requesting that if you have any checks from John Mark, please scan them and email them to us at: bhemporium@gmail.com

Thanks again to everyone who has shared their experiences with this creep. Last week alone, the calculated amount of money saved from potential victims totaled well over $8,900. Of course that figure is only what was reported to us, who knows how much the actual amount was. Until "John Mark" is brought to justice, we have vowed to apply relentless pressure. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Here's a nice little variant on the traditional 419 scam letter that showed up in my inbox this morning:

"THIS IS TO OFFICIALLY INFORM YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AMONG THE 40 LUCKY VICTIM OF SCAMMED TO BE COMPENSATED WITH $500,000.00.FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS,THIS WAS CONCLUDED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,SENATOR wALLIS KELLY WITH DELEGATE FROM THE UNITED NATION AND WORLD BANK AT THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT WHICH TOOK PLACE IN ADDIS ABABA IN (ETHIOPIA) AIMED AT REDEEMING THE COUNTRY'S IMAGE AND ALSO TO TRY TO PUT ANEND TO THE INCESSANT SCAM REPORTS BY FOREIGNER ESPECIALLY FROM USA AND AROUND THE GLOBE.YOU HAVE BEEN LISTED AND APPROVED FOR THIS PAYMENT AS ONE OF THE SCAMMED VICTIMS TO BE PAID THIS AMOUNT."

In David W. Maurer's classic 1940 book The Big Con (the basis for the movie The Sting), he describes how con-men would put their victims on the hook again and again, fleecing them, then convincing them to go home and borrow or steal everything they could from their friends in order to get their original money back. Like a desperate gambler doubling down, the victims would get deeper and deeper, and at every stage, it got easier for the grifter to con them again.

*Please understand that no government, especially Nigeria has a plan to reimburse scam victims.

The pressure has been turned up on John Mark and he is now attempting to change his identity by using different "associates". In addition to using previous names as Jeremy Silver, the name Bobby A Alfred has been appearing on new unsolicited emails.

Furthermore, fake Walmart-Western Union money orders have been sent from:

365 E. 96th Street,Brooklyn, NY 11212

We are not sure if this person/group of people are currently living at the address they've provided, however the map link below is a street view image courtesy of google.